1994 K. Yairi YB-1B - Dark Brown Sunburst | Vintage 4-String Japan Acoustic Bass Pickup | OHSC

I am offering a K. Yairi YB-1B from 1994, a handmade and signed in Gifu, Kani (Japan), by luthier Legend Kazuo Yairi 4-string acoustic bass with selected spruce top, back and sides made of mahogany, hand-carved mahogany neck with 43mm bone nut, premium ebony fingerboard with 19 frets, floating rosewood bridge with ebony tailpiece, long 34'' scale and factory-installed passive piezo pickup system with built-in control units for volume and EQ in the side in a beautiful dark brown sunburst satin finish in an excellent original condition including the original hardshell case and a professional setup.

This YB-01 acoustic bass from 1994 is one of the few extremely rare bass models by K. Yairi and was built and signed by the master himself. Typical of Japanese craftsmanship, the instrument is of excellent quality and the attention to detail is heartwarming.

The bass has a voluminous design that resembles a slimmed-down dreadnought acoustic guitar shape, as well as an excellently resonant spruce top and sides/back made of reddish mahogany. In terms of sound, the bass reveals the sound of a full-grown double bass: acoustically already extremely loud and powerful with great percussive accents and thanks to the factory-installed passive piezo pickup, the bass also sounds authentically acoustic and clear when amplified – the signal can be conveniently adjusted using a volume and equalizer control embedded in the side.

A sound example of the model (only as a fretless version) can be found at the top of the photo gallery.

The bass has recently been freshly set up, so it now has excellent intonation and the 43mm bone nut makes it extremely easy to play.

The beautifully grained spruce top is shown off to its best advantage under the natural matte dark brown sunburst finish, aesthetically complementing the shiny black K. Yairi original chrome tuners, the dark ebony fingerboard and the floating ebony tailpiece.

Simply a beautiful sounding, playable and looking instrument with vintage charm and character, which is so rarely found.

Technical Specifications:

• Year of manufacture: 1994
• Origin: Kani, Gifu, Japan
• Top: Solid spruce
• Back/sides: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany, set-in
• Neck profile: hand-carved "C"
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Nut: Bone, 43mm
• Number of frets: 19
• Headstock: Mahogany covered with rosewood veneer
• Bridge: Floating rosewood bridge with wooden inlay
• Tailpiece: Ebony, floating
• Tuners: Black sealed Made in Japan original chrome tuners
• Pickup System: Passive piezo pickup with volume & equalizer control in the side
• Binding: Black with multi-layer purfling
• Finish: Dark brown sunburst satin (top), natural satin (body)
• Scale length: 864mm (34'')
• Serial no.: 56079
• Incl. original black hardshell case with blue interior

Acoustic basses by K. Yairi (especially these earlier models) are extremely rare today and highly sought after due to their excellent workmanship.

Despite its age, this YB-1B is in excellent original condition and technically flawless. Visually, the bass has taken on a great vintage patina, but it actually has very few signs of wear (see pictures). The neck is straight, the string action is nice and the frets are still very good.

If you wish, I (I am a long-time guitar and bass teacher) will ship it with DHL (including bulky goods surcharge) fully insured for €59.99 within Germany or 99.99€ within the EU. Worldwide shipping possible - individual shipping quotes on request.

Please view all photos and clarify any questions before buying. Thank you! :)